Editor's note: With offseason work across the league coming to an end, the focus shifts to the steamy summer workouts ahead. The countdown to training camp has begun. To get you fully primed for the preseason and beyond, Sporting News provides in-depth looks at all 32 teams leading into camps. Today: Denver Broncos. Monday: Kansas City Chiefs.

As Peyton Manning goes, so go the Broncos.

Everything the Broncos did in the offseason stemmed from the blockbuster free agent signing of the four-time most valuable player. Their significant offensive veteran pickups were short-to-medium range pass catchers designed to optimize Manning's strengths on quick timing passes: tight ends Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen and wide receivers Andre Caldwell and Brandon Stokley.

Manning's arrival gives the Broncos the hope of playing from ahead more often than not, exacerbating the need for cornerback depth.

"I don't think you can ever have too many corners with a lot of the multiple receiver sets that you get -- and we will get -- with the types of quarterbacks that we have on our schedule this year," Broncos coach John Fox said.

But Manning's surgically repaired neck clouds the picture. Until he absorbs -- and rises from -- his first significant hit in a preseason game, the Broncos will hold their breath. If he stays healthy, the Broncos could have their best team since John Elway was quarterback. If not, the Broncos are left with Caleb Hanie, Brock Osweiler and Adam Weber, none of whom has won an NFL game as a starter, leaving them scrambling to match last year's .500 finish.

What's new: Offense

Manning's arrival and the subsequent trade of Tim Tebow renders the zone-read option a memorable footnote in Broncos history. The ground emphasis helped the Broncos capture the league's rushing crown last year; it's a safe bet the Broncos won't repeat that feat with a more pass-centric offense.

But the oft-repeated watchword for the overhauled offense this summer is "balance," so don't expect the Broncos to completely junk the run -- especially if third-round pick Ronnie Hillman can provide effective relief for Willis McGahee. The 30-year-old veteran wore down late last year yet still became just the seventh runner in his ninth season or later to average 4.8 yards per carry and surpass 1,000 yards.

What's new: Defense

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio became a head coach after a single season as Fox's defensive coordinator 10 years ago, when he improved Carolina's defense from 31st to second in a single season. As he reunites with Fox after nine seasons with Jacksonville, his task isn't as daunting, but he already must account for the retirement of Brian Dawkins and the absence of weakside linebacker D.J. Williams for six games because of a PED suspension.

Williams could face a lengthier absence if he is convicted of a DUI charge for which he faces retrial in August. Wesley Woodyard is expected to fill in for Williams; he's been a special-teams captain and mainstay in the Broncos' nickel package, but has never been more than a part-time starter.

Camp goals:

1. Establish offensive chemistry. The precise timing Manning had with his Colts teammates developed over years. Changes were often gradual, with younger players often eased into their roles over several years.

Manning doesn't have that luxury in Denver, which is why his work with teammates began less than week after he signed his contract, when he began working informally at a Denver-area high school with Eric Decker, center J.D. Walton and tight end Julius Thomas.

At times during OTAs, the Broncos offense looked as crisp as the best of the Manning-led Colts offenses; at others, the timing was balky.

2. Settle the defensive tackles. The Broncos hope veterans Ty Warren and Justin Bannan can stabilize a muddled unit, but their long-term hopes could rest on the development of second-round pick Derek Wolfe and 2011 practice-squad member Sealver Siliga, who lined up with the first team in the offseason.

Another player in the mix is Kevin Vickerson, who started early in 2011 before injuring his ankle; he's bulked up from 290 to 324 pounds this offseason at Del Rio's request.

3. Who starts alongside Mike Adams? Both Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore worked on the first team at strong safety during OTAs and minicamp practices. Carter, a fourth-round pick last year, supplanted 2011 second-rounder Moore six games into last season, but coaches and teammates have talked up Moore's prospects in the offseason, hoping to rebuild his confidence.

Carter played more decisively as a rookie and intercepted two passes in the postseason, but Moore is faster and potentially has greater range.

Breakout player(s)

Wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have different skill-sets, but similar career résumés. Both were 2010 draft picks, enjoyed multi-game stretches of brilliance in 2011 and have been waylaid by injuries at times.

Manning's arrival is a game-changer and could help both finally realize their potential -- if they can develop the timing needed with the 36-year-old quarterback.

"I think how we run routes with him, there's no gray area. You be in the right spot, you run the route the way he wants it, and again, no gray area," Decker said.

Bottom line

Manning's arrival gives the Broncos and their fans their loftiest expectations since Elway, Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe led them to consecutive Super Bowls in the late 1990's, but there could be bumps in the transition as the offense adjusts to Manning and the defense adapts to Del Rio. A rigorous early season slate could magnify any issues; the Broncos open September with three 2011 playoff participants and don't face a team with a losing record last year until Week 10. The pressure will be high for the Broncos to work out the kinks in camp; if they linger into the preseason, meeting the mile-high ambitions could be difficult.